327/365 OVERHEATING PROBLEM - HELP!

[John H.]

Re: 327/365 OVERHEATING PROBLEM - HELP!

Fred -

Install a 180* thermostat - any brand will work, but I've had good luck over the years with the Robertshaw "Balanced-Flow" #330-180 (also re-packaged and sold by Mr. Gasket under their own number); this thermostat is made with a much closer calibration than the generic types, and I've never seen one fail.

If your radiator is indeed the original, it's most likely history in terms of its efficiency (heat rejection capability); internal scale (which forms an insulating barrier to heat transfer) has probably reduced its efficiency by 50% or more. Time to call Tom DeWitt and get one of his Harrison reproductions, and you can watch the scenery instead of the temp gauge.

[Myron D.]

Re: 327/365 OVERHEATING PROBLEM - HELP!

Hi Fred, I would check the radiator. I have a 59 and had a similar problem. Pulled radiator out and had a shop rod it out. Put it back in car and still had a problem. Took radiator back to shop and this time had the shop remove the bottom tank while I was there watching and he rodded it from the bottom. He did discover more resticted water passages, also there was some thick silver metallic crud in the bottom tank. My engine was a fresh rebuild, I did flush block and radiator but I never pulled the two plugs from the bottom sides of the block. Discovered more crud/debris there, best of luck Scott 40610

[John H.]

Re: 327/365 OVERHEATING PROBLEM - HELP!

Scott -

Fred's radiator is an aluminum Harrison stacked-plate; no tanks, no core tubes, can't be rodded-out (or repaired, for that matter). Most efficient radiator ever made, but when they finally die, you bury them

[Jack H.]

Hum....

you say you bury them.... Gosh, I thought they magically transformed into fresh beer cans to help all of us with our restoration/preservation efforts!